Indicative meanings of geological sea-level indicators in the Solent region and Sussex coast (south coast of England) and implications for uplift rates

Abstract

The Solent Region and Sussex coastal plain in southern England have preserved palaeo-sea-level indicators from multiple interglacial periods, with a particularly complete record of deposition throughout the last interglacial. However, as yet, none of the research on these indicators has fully addressed the relationship of the different types of deposits preserved to mean sea-level. In this paper we apply recent approaches to estimating past relative sea-levels based on applying modern analogues to understand the indicative meaning of these indicators. We also apply a synchronous correlation model previously developed on rapidly uplifting coastlines to assess uplift rates. The uplift rates required to match the elevations of sequences suggest a significant decrease in uplift rates between the Late Wolstonian Substage and Ipswichian Stage; that is, the c. 240 and c. 125 ka sea-level highstands, broadly equivalent to marine isotope stages (MIS) 7 and 5e. This coincides in time with the final opening of the Straits of Dover.